Category: Director General

The Strategic Foresight Center at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, held a Round Table on Foresight, Design and Urban Planning, to raise awareness about the importance of foresight tools, stress their key role in the field of design and urban planning and help decision-makers to ensure a sustainable future for cities, as the percentage of the urban population around the world is expected to rise from 55% currently to 68% by 2050.

The round table launched at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, with the presence of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, and Mr. Abdellatif Nahli, Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Policy, in the Kingdom of Morocco. The event saw the participation of several researchers, academics, engineers and experts in the field from inside and outside the Islamic world, in person and via videoconference. Participants discussed and shared the best practices in urban design and planning and they identified their current trends to monitor ways to benefit from them in the future.

At the opening session, Ms. Rim Jalloul from ICESCO Center for Strategic Foresight stressed that the importance of foresight in the field of urban planning stems from the fact that 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and this percentage is expected to rise to 68% by 2050, making foresight a necessity to provide more opportunities to achieve urban sustainability.

In his speech, Mr. Abdellatif Al-Nahli, Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Territory Preparation, Urbanization, Housing and City Policy in the Kingdom of Morocco, commended ICESCO’s organization of this round table, stressing the need to publicize the importance of urban planning, exchange experiences in this field, value pioneering experiences and implement and evaluate development programs.

Mr. Nahli reviewed Morocco’s efforts in the field of planning, which are characterized by the development of a set of ambitious strategies in order to build a development model based on decentralization and good governance. This further highlights the need to adopt a forward-looking vision in the field of planning to win challenges, especially in light of the Covid 19 repercussions, which revealed the need to elaborate planning tools to counter risks and employ digitization techniques.

Following the opening session, Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of the Center for Strategic Foresight at ICESCO, delivered a presentation on the necessity of anticipating the future, with the participation of various key actors, referring to the Center’s objectives of supporting a culture of foresight and anticipation.

The first session touched upon a global view of the future of design and urban planning, and called for elaborating potential scenarios in urban design and planning, based on modern technologies, to build green and sustainable cities, in a world that is experiencing unprecedentedly rapid demographic and urban changes. The second session dealt with the best practices in the field of foresight, design and urban planning.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Mohammed El-Ferrane, Director of the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and the National Library in the implementation of a number of programs and activities.

During the meeting, held on Monday 7 March 2022, at the headquarters of the National Library, in the presence of Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy DG, the two parties discussed the proposed areas of cooperation between ICESCO and the Library.

In this connection, the two parties agreed on cooperation in the organization of training sessions on manuscript restoration and an international symposium on the future of national libraries. They also agreed on cooperation in the Audiobook Program, being implemented by ICESCO’s Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), a program that aims to convert a select collection of reference print books into audio format. Likewise, they agreed that all publications granted legal deposit by the library this year bear the logo of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, as part of the celebration of this long-standing city as part of the Programme for Culture Capitals in the Islamic World.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Alfred J. Vella, Rector of the University of Malta, explored prospects for cooperation between the University of Malta, ICESCO and the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).

The meeting was held on Friday, 4 March 2022, at the Presidency of the University of Malta during the visit of ICESCO DG to the University at the invitation of its Rector, following their participation in the Second Global Forum for a Culture of Just Peace, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, under the auspices of Dr. George Vella, President of the Republic of Malta.

The two parties discussed prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the University of Malta, in several areas, mainly establishing a chair related to civilizational dialogue at the University, strengthening cooperation between the University and the Organization’s FUIW, granting scholarships for students from the Islamic world and participating in international conferences and forums held by the two parties.

Ambassador Khaled Fateh Al-Rahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue attended the meeting.

The University of Malta is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. It originates from “Maltese College,” which was founded in 1592 AD, and witnessed several stages until it took its current name.

In his closing remarks during the 2nd edition of the World Forum for Culture of Peace, held under his auspices, H.E. Dr. George Vella, President of Malta, commended the address of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). He delivered the address during a session on the role of international organizations in promoting a culture of peace.

The Maltese President noted that ICESCO DG raised an important point, which is that stability is the most crucial factor for achieving peace. He added that development requires stability, which is the cornerstone of peace.

Dr. Vella also praised the participants and speakers in the forum sessions, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation in Malta on 3-4 March 2022, under the theme: “Leadership for Just Peace.” He extended his thanks to the Foundation and the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Sheikh Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, noting that peace must prevail in the world.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), called for giving due attention to culture as a basis for a just peace, a goal the global community aspires to achieve. Dr. AlMalik stated that it is important to promote global human values in education systems, noting that ICESCO strives to anchor the foundations of peaceful thinking and steer away from extremism and hatred in the promotion of the spirit of intercultural dialogue.

Dr. AlMalik made this statement in an address he gave on Friday, March 4, 2022, at the Second World Forum of Just Peace, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, under the theme “Leadership for Peace.” The conference was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. George Vella, President of Malta, and saw the participation of heads of states, international organizations, intellectuals and experts from different parts of the world.

At the outset, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the importance of global forums aiming at pooling efforts to build a culture of peace, seizing the opportunity to thank Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation and the Republic of Malta for holding this international event to promote intercultural dialogue.

In addition, the DG stated that the Organization seeks to integrate peace in elementary education curricula, while focusing on AI applications in service of peace notions. He also reaffirmed the need to counter the growing videogame culture among the younger generations, which consolidate misconceptions that lead to crimes of violence and extremism, noting that ICESCO created a center dedicated to civilizational dialogue to accord due attention to this concept and promote its significance in the Member States.

Likewise, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Organization’s major programs and activities that aim to disseminate and promote the culture of peace, notably ICESCO’s Program for Leadership Training in Peace and Security (LTIPS), from which 30 young men and women from more than 20 countries graduated as ICESCO Peace Ambassadors. He announced that ICESCO will continue working on this program to reach 500 ambassadors by 2025.

At the close of his address, the DG reaffirmed the Organization’s keenness to cooperate with all partners and civil society institutions in service of world peace and security, calling on young people across the globe to join the LTIPS program.

During their attendance of the Second World Forum for Culture of Just Peace, held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Malta, under the title: “Leadership for Just Peace,” Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Ilir Meta, President of Albania, and gave him a brief presentation on ICESCO’s vision. The two parties explored prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Albania and proposals for Albania to get observer status at the Organization.

The Albanian President expressed his gratitude and interest in building cooperation between his country and ICESCO, and assigned his advisor, Ms. Brunilda Paskali, to follow up on the matter and communicate with the Organization with the aim of preparing a detailed report on the prospects for cooperation between the two sides.

Within the framework of its new vision, ICESCO adopts an open approach to build partnerships and exchange experiences with all countries to serve its Member States and Muslim communities around the world. As part of ICESCO’s action in its fields of competence in education, science and culture, the Organization gives priority to promoting civilized dialogue, fostering a culture of peace and training and building youth and women capacities.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met Mr. Evarist Bartolo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malta. The meeting discussed prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Malta in the fields of education, science and culture.

During the meeting, held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Malta, on the sidelines of ICESCO DG’s participation in the 2nd World Forum for Culture of Peace, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, under the theme “Leadership for Peace,” under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. George Vella, President of Malta, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the mainlines of ICESCO’s vision and action strategy, which is based on open-door policy will all parties, including non-Member States, by developing cooperation and partnership relations to serve the Organization’s Member States and the Muslim communities around the world.

Dr. AlMalik explained that ICESCO has set up a new Observer Status allowing non-Member States to join the Organization to ensure further cooperation and exchange of experiences with Muslim countries in the fields of education, science and culture, calling on Malta to join ICESCO as an observer.

ICESCO DG stressed that the Organization attaches special importance to promoting civilized dialogue, consolidating the values of coexistence and peace, and building the capacities of youth and women to contribute to sustainable development in their societies.

“ICESCO also promotes cultural diplomacy and the cultural heritage through its inscription on the Islamic World Heritage List, and supports Member States’ efforts to invest in space sciences and artificial intelligence applications,” Dr. AlMalik added.

For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta commended ICESCO’s efforts and roles in its fields of competence, stressing Malta’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization, especially in the youth leadership-training program in peace and security.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Sheikh Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, discussed the prospects for cooperation between the Organization and the Foundation in the fields of common interest.

The meeting, which was held today, Wednesday (March 2, 2022) in Malta, on the sidelines of the Second Global Forum for a Culture of Peace, organized by the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, under the auspices of Dr. George Villa, President of the Republic of Malta.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Malik reviewed the mainlines of ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations as well as its efforts to enshrine the values of coexistence and peace, consolidate civilized dialogue, support comprehensive and quality education for all, and build the capacities of youth and women in various fields through practical programs and activities.

ICESCO DG stressed that the organization also attaches great importance to the promotion of the Arabic language at the international level. “ICESCO Center of Arabic Language for Non-Native Speakers has recently published a series of academic studies on Arabic language teaching, within the framework of its project “Specialized Studies,” to address challenges and difficulties of teaching Arabic for non-Arabic speakers, namely the need to keep up with educational developments in its curricula and educational means,” he underlined.
The meeting considered the cooperation proposals in the fields of culture, poetry, Arabic language, publishing and digital content production. The two parties stressed their keenness to build a fruitful partnership.

The meeting also brought together Mr. Abdul Karim Saud Al-Babtain, Dr. Touhami Abdouli, DG of Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, and Ambassador Khaled Fathalrahman, Director of ICESCO Center for Civilization Dialogue.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received on Monday, February 28, at ICESCO Headquarters, Mr. Youssef bin Ahmad Al-Kuwari, CEO of Qatar Charity, and his accompanying delegation. The two parties discussed the key axes of the new phase of cooperation and partnership between ICESCO and Qatar Charity.

At the beginning of the visit of the Qatar Charity delegation to ICESCO Headquarters, Dr. AlMalik and Mr. Al-Kuwari held a meeting where they both reaffirmed their keenness to widen the scope of the partnership between the two institutions in service of their mutual goals. They also agreed to build fruitful cooperation based on impactful programs with a focus on the fields of social development, Arabic teaching, quality education for all, gender equality, women and youth capacity building, innovative initiatives, and countering girl dropout.

A larger meeting was then held where the Qatar Charity delegation met ICESCO heads of sectors, departments and centers, who highlighted the Organization’s major ongoing programs and activities. The two parties also discussed the possibility of cooperation between ICESCO and the Charity in the implementation of these programs as well as possible initiatives to be launched in the upcoming period to achieve shared goals.

Following the presentations about ICESCO’s current and future programs and activities, the Qatar Charity delegation reaffirmed that the two institutions have numerous things in common, noting that cooperation between the two parties, especially in the fields of training and capacity building through capitalizing on modern technology, AI applications would likely help reach wider scopes of beneficiaries.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in the areas of common interest, most notably sustainable development, environmental protection, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting cultural tourism, and publicizing Member States’ heritage.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Eng. Abdul Nabi Manar, ACAO Director-General, signed the memorandum of understanding, on Monday, February 28, 2022, at the headquarters of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, in Rabat, in the presence of a number of officials and advisers of the two organizations.

After signing the memorandum, Dr. AlMalik expressed his happiness at this constructive cooperation between ICESCO and ACAO, pointing out that the areas of common interest of the two parties can help them conduct joint result-based studies, programs and practical projects, train and build the capacity of young people in the Islamic world in vital areas, including cyber-security and environmental sustainability.

For his part, Eng. Manar said that memorandum of understanding falls within the strategy of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, approved by the 26th Ordinary Session of the Organization’s General Assembly, which supports holding partnerships likely to enhance its efforts to achieve its strategic orientations, noting that ICESCO has become a house of expertise, a global hub for scientific competencies from all Muslim countries and an international center for dialogue and human commonalities to build a new world where the values of brotherhood, harmony and peace prevail.

At the conclusion of the signing ceremony, Eng. Manar presented the shield of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization to Dr. AlMalik in appreciation of his efforts and the roles that ICESCO fulfills in its areas of competence.

The memorandum of understanding aims to lay the foundations for cooperation and partnership between the two parties in the fields of environmental protection, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable development, cultural and sustainable tourism, and publicizing cultural and heritage treasures in Member States by holding joint conferences and seminars in the fields of aviation and tourism, encouraging young people in the Islamic world to join the field of civil aviation, and supporting entrepreneurs in this field.